Summit League Preview: Coyote Women Host Oral Roberts

Eleven games into the 2016 Summit League women's basketball schedule, there's just one blemish on South Dakota's record - a four-point loss at Oral Roberts five weeks ago. This week, the Coyotes get their second crack at the Golden Eagles.

The Coyotes (19-5/10-1) host ORU Saturday night.

USD lost the first meeting, 60-56, in Tulsa last month, in large part because of their second-worst shooting performance of the season (29%) and 18 turnovers. The Coyotes were also dominated 32-10 in the paint.

Sophomore guard Jordan Doyle averages nine points and four rebounds a game, but against USD she had a breakout game - 19 points (7-of-14 shooting) and eight rebounds.

The Golden Eagles (11-13/8-4) have the second-best defense in the Summit League, holding opponents to 56 points per game on 36 percent shooting. On offense, they are eighth in points per game and last in shooting percentage and free throw shooting.

Blair Bryce and Faith Ihim are both in the top ten in rebounding in the Summit.

South Dakota leads the Summit League in overall offense, rebounding margin, assists, and steals. Senior Nicole Seekamp leads the conference in scoring (18 points per game) and assists.

Against the Pioneers, USD's defense took over after Denver shot 58 percent in the first quarter. DU hit just six of their remaining 35 shots (17%) in the game.

In all, 13 Coyote players played ten-plus minutes with Kelly Stewart (13 points) and Margaret McCloud (12 points) leading the scoring with a combined 11-of-16 shooting.

South Dakota dished out 20 assists on 27 made baskets.

In Omaha, the USD defense limited the Mavericks to just five first quarter points, en route to a 31-16 halftime lead. UNO erupted for 28 third quarter points to pull even, but the Coyotes scored 33 of the game's final 51 points to secure their ninth straight win.

I talked with USD head coach Amy Williams about last week's sweep and this week's game with Oral Roberts: